French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has withdrawn from a scheduled speech in the United States after Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to Donald Trump, made a hand gesture that some interpreted as a Nazi salute.

Bannon’s Gesture Sparks Controversy

During his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Bannon raised his right arm with fingers extended and palm down while shouting “fight, fight, fight.” The gesture quickly drew criticism, with many likening it to a salute associated with Nazi ideology.

Bardella, the leader of France’s National Rally party, was slated to speak at CPAC on Friday but announced his cancellation due to what he called a “gesture referring to Nazi ideology.”

Bannon Responds, Denies Nazi Comparison

Bannon dismissed the allegations, insisting that his gesture was nothing more than a wave.

“It was the exact same wave I did on stage in France seven years ago,” he told Le Point, a French news magazine. He also criticized Bardella’s decision, stating, “If he canceled over what the mainstream media said, he didn’t listen to the speech. If that’s true, he’s unworthy to lead France. He’s a boy, not a man.”

Romanian far-right leader George Simion also rejected Bardella’s interpretation, telling the BBC, “Any historian knows that wasn’t a Nazi salute.”

Similar Gesture by Elon Musk Draws Parallels

Observers noted that Bannon’s gesture closely resembled one made by tech billionaire Elon Musk during Donald Trump’s inauguration in January. Musk faced backlash at the time but denied any association with Nazi symbolism.

Bardella’s Political Ambitions and CPAC’s Global Influence

Bardella, widely seen as a potential future French presidential candidate, was among several prominent international figures invited to speak at CPAC. Other notable attendees included:

• Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who criticized the British government on Wednesday, saying the state was “failing.”
• Argentine President Javier Milei, who on Thursday presented Elon Musk with a chainsaw—a symbol of his drastic economic reforms.
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, set to address the conference on Saturday.

The annual CPAC conference has increasingly become a stronghold for Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement. This year’s event has taken on a celebratory tone following Trump’s November election victory.

Bannon’s Controversial Past

Bannon, a former key advisor to Trump, remains an influential conservative figure through his War Room podcast, which has a significant following among Trump supporters.

His CPAC speech was met with a standing ovation, despite the controversy. Closing his address, he declared:

“The only way they win is if we retreat, and we are not going to retreat. We’re not going to surrender, we are not going to quit. We’re going to fight, fight, fight.”

Bannon was previously imprisoned for four months for defying a congressional subpoena related to the January 6 Capitol attack. Earlier this month, he pleaded guilty in a separate case involving the defrauding of donors in a fundraising campaign for Trump’s US-Mexico border wall but avoided further jail time.

Conclusion

The CPAC conference remains a key gathering for conservative leaders worldwide, reflecting the growing influence of Trump’s political movement. Bardella’s decision to withdraw highlights the deep divisions within far-right politics over historical symbolism and political alliances.